In this insightful episode, Brittnie and Kailyn, a licensed primary care physician with expertise in various modalities including botanical medicine, acupuncture, nutrition, and environmental medicine, delve into the often-overlooked topic of managing anxiety in new motherhood. They discuss the non-verbal communication between mother and infant and how a mother’s anxiety can affect her child’s development. Brittnie shares her personal journey with anxiety during the first year of her second child’s life, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for mothers navigating these challenges.
Key Topics Discussed:
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New Motherhood and Mental Health Challenges:
- Kailyn explains how anxiety and depression in new mothers can be difficult to recognize and distinguish from normal postpartum emotions. She highlights common symptoms such as intrusive thoughts, constant worry, and feelings of being judged. Brittnie shares her own experiences and regrets over missed moments with her children due to anxiety, underscoring the importance of awareness and support.
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Challenges in Accessing Mental Health Care:
- The conversation touches on the difficulties of accessing mental health care in the U.S. Kailyn discusses the limitations of finding an in-person therapist due to long waitlists, while Brittnie shares her experiences with online healthcare services. They emphasize the importance of building a trusting relationship with a therapist and the need for patience in finding the right fit.
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Empathy and Mental Health Experiences:
- Brittnie and Kailyn share their personal journeys with mental health, aiming to reduce the stigma around these issues. They stress the importance of empathy, self-awareness, and validation for those suffering from anxiety and depression.
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ADHD, Postpartum Experiences, and Normalization:
- Brittnie discusses her experiences managing ADHD and how it intersects with postpartum challenges. Kailyn explains the hormonal changes, such as drops in dopamine and the role of oxytocin, that can mimic ADHD symptoms during the postpartum period. They advocate for normalizing these experiences as more common than many realize.
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Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship Strategies:
- Kailyn shares practical tips for balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, including the importance of structured routines, intentional time management, and prioritizing self-care. They discuss replacing traditional to-do lists with daily routines to manage household tasks more effectively.
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Motherhood Experiences and Upcoming Projects:
- Brittnie and Kailyn reflect on their experiences as mothers of young children, discussing the challenges and joys of the first two years of motherhood. Kailyn invites Brittnie to share her story on her podcast, while Brittnie announces her plans to pivot to a new photography-based podcast launching in early September.
Key Takeaways:
- Anxiety in new motherhood is common but often underrecognized. Awareness and support are crucial.
- Accessing mental health care can be challenging, but building a trusting relationship with a therapist is essential.
- Empathy, self-awareness, and validation are important in managing mental health struggles.
- Balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship requires structured routines and intentional time management.
- Normalizing postpartum challenges and ADHD is key to reducing stigma and supporting new mothers.
Connect with Kailyn
Dr. Kailyn Galloway is dedicated to helping new moms navigate the anxiety of the postpartum period through reducing shame, providing evidence-based information, and fostering mindset shifts. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges new mothers face, Dr. Galloway equips her clients with the tools they need to embrace this transformative season. Her expertise in postpartum mental health, including anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and postpartum depression, offers invaluable support to those working with new mothers. Dr. Galloway is passionate about sharing her knowledge and empowering mothers and practitioners alike to manage anxious moments and provide compassionate care. She is honored to contribute evidence-based wisdom and insights to those supporting new moms in this critical stage of life.
The New Mom Naturopath Podcast
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